Home Inspection State Practice Exam 2025 - Free Home Inspection Practice Questions and Study Guide

An electrical system that has a fuse on the neutral conductor in conjunction with fuses on energized conductors is considered hazardous and should be corrected because it violates safety principles and codes of electrical practice. The neutral conductor is intended to carry current back to the service panel under normal operating conditions and should never be fused. Fusing the neutral can lead to dangerous situations, such as an overloaded neutral not tripping, which could result in overheating, equipment damage, and even fire hazards.

In a properly configured electrical system, protective devices like fuses or circuit breakers are installed on the energized conductors (hot wires) to interrupt the circuit in an overload or fault condition. Fusing the neutral instead would not provide effective protection because it does not disconnect the energized circuits and may create a situation where the system remains energized while presenting a significant risk.

Current electrical codes and standards emphasize the necessity of having a proper protective mechanism in place that safeguards both the wiring and users from potential hazards. As such, an electrical setup that includes fuses on the neutral should be remedied to conform to safe practices and adhere to compliance with applicable wiring codes.